A shaky laugh bubbled up from my throat as I looked at them, tears brimming in my eyes.
“I love you,” I whispered, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Ethan’s jaw tightened just slightly, but his eyes softened.
Owen exhaled like he’d been holding his breath.
And Mason? Mason just grinned, his dimples deep, his hands sliding up to cup my face as he kissed me again, slow, deep, like he was sealing a promise.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine. “Welcome home, babe. I hope you know that we all love you, too.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Owen
The house was finally startingto feel likehome.
It had been weeks since we moved in, but I still wasn’t used to it.
The space. The quiet.
The way it felt to wake up every morning knowing that this—this—was our life now.
I leaned against the kitchen counter, a mug of coffee in my hands, watching as Aurora sat on the couch, barefoot, her legs curled up beneath her.
Her laptop balanced on one knee, a book open beside her, and one hand absently rubbing her growing belly.
It was hard to believe how much had changed in such a short time.
For so long, it had felt like we were fighting just to keep our heads above water. Fighting for the garage, for the bookstore, for this town.
Fighting for her.
Now? Now, we had this.
I didn’t know what to do with peace. It wasn’t something I was used to.
But watching Aurora in the soft morning light, her hair loose around her shoulders and her body comfortably settled into our home, I realized something.
Peace wasn’t so bad when you had the right people to share it with.
Mason strolled in from the hallway, stretching like he’d just rolled out of bed.
He snagged a piece of toast from Aurora’s plate, grinning when she swatted at his arm.
“Morning, babe,” he said, voice still rough with sleep.
Aurora didn’t look up from her laptop. “It was a good morning until someone stole my breakfast.”
Mason just smirked, leaning down to kiss the top of her head before flopping onto the couch beside her.
Ethan walked in a second later, already dressed for the day, phone in hand. “Hall just texted. Hank’s officially signed the paperwork to sell his remaining properties. He's out of Medford for good.”
Aurora glanced up, blinking in surprise. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Ethan’s lips twitched, the closest thing to a smile he gave when he wasn’t being smug about something.
Mason let out a low whistle. “Damn. Should’ve thrown a party.”